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Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

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Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#21

Post by a-wu »

Angostura wrote: post #17
a-wu wrote: post #13

I recently started listening to a fantastic podcast called 13 Minutes To The Moon[0] produced by the BBC. It’s a retelling of the last 13 minutes until the Apollo 11 lander touched down. Episode 2 talked about the software and the 1202 program code. They interviewed the Guidance controller who was only 26 at the time and talked about how the average age of the flight controllers was 27. I thought that was incredible,…

It's a really good podcast, but I found it a bit bloated in places, I could have done without the Hans Zimmer theme, of which they are so inordinately proud.

That’s funny because I actually love the Hans Zimmer theme.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#23

Post by ngcc_hk »

BJBBB wrote: post #20
a-wu wrote: post #13

I recently started listening to a fantastic podcast called 13 Minutes To The Moon[0] produced by the BBC. It’s a retelling of the last 13 minutes until the Apollo 11 lander touched down. Episode 2 talked about the software and the 1202 program code. They interviewed the Guidance controller who was only 26 at the time and talked about how the average age of the flight controllers was 27. I thought that was incredible,…

The American and Canadian military are significant examples where many organizations are 'run' by people under 30. Yes, most field-grade and general officers, and senior NCOs are over 35. But, for example, the day-to-day decisions of logistics and tactics and technological is done by people between 19 and 27, by junior enlisted and company-grade officers. I have never had as much responsibility an operational control…

Just a thought - is this the generation that never gave up in power and make decision so younger one never has a chance.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#24

Post by danbr »

playing_colours wrote: post #8

There is a good book on the computer systems of Apollo project: Digital Apollo https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/digital-apollo It describes interesting questions that were faced on the project: say, how much control over a lunar module could be given to a computer system, and how much they should rely on human engagement.

I read this book a couple years ago, it’s great. In fact, I picked up the book 2nd hand with a note from the author inscribed on a cover page. Neat.

This book is especially interesting to anyone building systems where humans are required to interface with a computer on a “mission-critical” level.

It goes in-depth about the new type of electrical component-integrated circuits used in the guidance system. And more about other aspects of the navigation systems used on Apollo.

I recommend.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#25

Post by bumby »

playing_colours wrote: post #8

There is a good book on the computer systems of Apollo project: Digital Apollo https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/digital-apollo It describes interesting questions that were faced on the project: say, how much control over a lunar module could be given to a computer system, and how much they should rely on human engagement.

It's interesting to me that 50+ years later this debate on system control is still very much relevant to aerospace today, like the recent 737-MAX issue.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#26

Post by bumby »

a-wu wrote: post #13

I recently started listening to a fantastic podcast called 13 Minutes To The Moon[0] produced by the BBC. It’s a retelling of the last 13 minutes until the Apollo 11 lander touched down. Episode 2 talked about the software and the 1202 program code. They interviewed the Guidance controller who was only 26 at the time and talked about how the average age of the flight controllers was 27. I thought that was incredible,…

I wonder how much of the low age is because it was a relatively new organization at the time. As a counter example, NASA's current average age is 50+ in many organizations.

It's a blessing and a curse. Aging organizations retain lots of organizational knowledge but also tend to exhibit a lot of stagnation/complacency.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#29

Post by Jtsummers »

benj111 wrote: post #16
ghaff wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Competitive bid doesn't have to mean lowest bidder. I've put tons of (non-government) projects out for bid because you're usually expected to do so to keep everyone relatively honest. I imagine the MIT Instrumentation Lab were the only people with the inertial guidance expertise at that time.

"Competitive bid doesn't have to mean lowest bidder" No you have to wine and dine the right people, and line a job up for them when they retire.

Which gets someone thrown in jail or a lot of fines these days. Not that it doesn't happen, but it's a lot harder to hide now than 20+ years ago.

Re: Apollo 11 Had a Hidden Hero: Software

#30

Post by dereknewsom »

a-wu wrote: post #21
Angostura wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a really good podcast, but I found it a bit bloated in places, I could have done without the Hans Zimmer theme, of which they are so inordinately proud.

That’s funny because I actually love the Hans Zimmer theme.

I really loved the Hans Zimmer music too. I got pumped up every time I heard it. I felt some bloat at times when they really dug into that 1202 error. It just kept coming up again and again.
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